Having released her highly acclaimed, debut album in 2005, Virna Sanzone, is emerging as one of Australia’s most captivating singers. Deeply soulful, yet with the ability to sail effortlessly through the most intricate jazz melodies, her passionate delivery and understated approach have seen her compared to vocal masters from Roberta Flack and KD Lang to Shirley Horne.

Born in Sydney, to a Sicilian father and an Armenian / Chaldean mother, Virna grew up in a multi-lingual household, that was as diverse musically as it was culturally. Studying music from an early age, Virna went on to be one of the few singers ever to be accepted into the prestigious jazz course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Here she studied with Australian greats including Mike Nock, Judy Bailey and Kerrie Biddell, forging many strong and enduring musical relationships, and graduating in 1998 with a Diploma in Jazz Studies. Since that time she has worked consistently, both in Australia and overseas, rapidly winning the admiration and respect of audiences and contemporaries alike.

Though her roots are firmly planted in the fertile ground that resides somewhere between soul and jazz, Virna has been an integral part of projects that have seen her move across a diverse range of genres. Amongst her recent credits, Virna has appeared as a guest vocalist with Lulo Reinhardt, grand-nephew of the great Django Reinhardt, with South African singer and freedom songwriter Vusi Mahlasela, and as part of the recently reformed Australian band, D.I.G. She also supported Roy Ayers and Ernest Ranglin on their most recent Australian tours, performed live and for television with Paul Capsis, and recorded for Paul Mac’s latest release, ”Panic Room”.

Virna spent some years as a regular vocalist with Sydney’s godfather of soul, Jackie Orszaczky, working closely with Tina Harrod and Jade Macrae. She contributed backing vocals to his album “Deserted Downtown”, and recorded with him again on bassist / composer Steve Hunter’s album “Condition Human” (ABC Classics). Her sensitive interpretation of Hunter’s tune “Shades Of Gray” features as the opening track, while she also appears in duet with Orszaczky a later track. While Virna has contributed to many other studio projects, she also appears on numerous recordings for radio, television and film, including “The Magic Pudding”, starring John Cleese.

Highly regarded by her peers, Virna has consistently enjoyed the company, both live and in the studio, of the highest calibre of musician Australia has to offer. Her collaborators over the years have included Rai Thistlethwayte (Thirsty Merc), James Haselwood (The Dissociatives), Paul Searles (Skunkhour), and Lindsay Page (Junglehammer, King Tide), just to name a few, while she has also been invited to perform in bands led by jazz luminaries such as Judy Bailey, Jonathan Zwartz, Gerard Masters and Matthew McMahon.

Described as “an uplifting listening experience”, Virna’s self-titled, independently released album, originally commissioned by the ABC, has been extremely well received by the public and media alike and continues to receive considerable airplay. It features a collection of musicians who are truly masters of their craft, including McMahon, Hamish Stuart, Phil Slater and James Greening, and since its official launch, performed to a capacity crowd at The Basement in May 2005, Virna has begun to receive the kind of public attention warranted by her immense talent and vast experience.

Virna continues to perform regularly with her own band and as a featured guest vocalist. She is currently writing material for a second album.

“From the first time I heard Virna Sanzone sing I was struck by the beauty and power of her voice. She is an uncommonly gifted musician and…a great asset to Australian music making.”
Dr Tony Gould

“She not only has a beautiful voice but is an accurate, skilful and passionate singer…an outstanding soloist with thrilling improvisational skills and the rare quality of being a good listener…”
Tony Backhouse

Sydney jazz singer Virna Sanzone's debut solo CD is a joy. Her repertoire includes Ron Sexsmith's fine "April After All". and it's sung beautifully like all the others. Produced in association with ABC Radio's Jazztrack Program.

a gentle, soothing collection of songs...Virna Sanzone is for when you’re settli

Autumn is setting in. You can tell by the sheets of rain pelting down the windows, the scarved-up couples huddled over cups of coffee…all of which necessitates a soundtrack of sorts to accompany said colder climate.The debut solo album by Virna Sanzone is just that: a gentle, soothing collection of songs that lulls you into a drowsy state of homemade soup comfort. Although a mixture of covers and originals, the sparse, easy jazz stylings of Sanzone keep the set cohesive, a stream of tinkered keys, nodding bass and polite brushes. However, they merely act as a hanger onto which Sanzone can fling her voice. Of course, her smooth crooning is not so much flung as sent lightly to dance as it pleases, like dandelions in the wind…Virna Sanzone is for when you’re settling down with a glass of red…while that fire you lit for “mood” value crackles in the corner.
Virna Sanzone would and should be played: In Borders and Starbucks nationally.

...a soothing blend...Sanzone’s restraint is a novelty and a welcome relief.

Virna Sanzone sounds eerily similar to Norah Jones on her self-titled debut album. Like Jones, Sanzone achieves a soothing blend in songs such as “April After All’ and “A Time For Love” by relying on melody and acoustic instruments. She has chosen her backing musicians well. Their skilful orchestration complements Sanzone’s delicate voice.
In an era of Britney, Beyonce and other pop starlets, Sanzone’s restraint is a novelty and a welcome relief.

…In a style reminiscent of Carole King, especially on King’s original Surely, Sanzone delivers a diverse repertoire of songs from Bruce Cockburn, Mose Alison, Cole Porter and others. Backings, up to sextet size, are smoothly provided by some of Sydney’s top flight jazz players. Exhilarating solos come from Sam Rollings on guitar and recent winner of the prestigious Freedman Fellowship Matt McMahon’s always inventive piano. These are polished arrangements – mostly written by Sanzone – with precise swinging from everyone. A standout track is the ballad A Time For Love, on which Sanzone’s voice slides beautifully in graduated steps to the upper register, and there’s a tenderly compatible solo from Phil Slater’s trumpet.

...a beautiful selection of jazz, gospel, soul and popular standards...This CD i

Virna Sanzone, one of Sydney’s most accomplished jazz vocalists, puts an ample dash of soul into everything she does. This, her long awaited and much anticipated debut album is evidence of that, from the opening tune to the last. Sanzone performs a beautiful selection of jazz, gospel, soul and popular standards, and includes a couple of originals that display her fine skills as a burgeoning songwriter. Whether capturing the fragility of a ballad like A Time For Love or the deep gospel mood of I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free, Virna Sanzone's voice is informed by her fine melodic sensitivity, her sophisticated understanding of the jazz tradition and above all, her characteristically rich, soul-drenched feel.

Her voice floats over the lyrical and spacious arrangements, delivered by a cast of subtle and perceptive musicians. Most importantly, there is a strong sense of harmony and mutual awareness between vocalist and band – the interaction is at all times skilful and very musical. This CD is a most satisfying and uplifting listening experience.